Summary
Two shipwreck victims, Phillip, a blind, white
American boy, and Timothy, an old black
sailor, are stranded on a small island in the
Caribbean. Being totally dependent on
Timothy, Phillip must overcome his
prejudice and learn to accept differences in
people in this adventure story of survival
and adjustment.
The Cay provides a wonderful example of
characterization in writing. Through
character perseverance, a young boy learns
to overcome prejudice and better
understand the meaning of love. The author
reveals the virtues of respect and
perseverance. The novel also examines the
literary themes of man vs. man and man vs.
nature.
The Cay is a coming-of-age story about Phillip Enright, a eleven year old boy who lives on a small
Dutch island during the beginning of World War II. Initially excited by war, Phillip is upset that his
mother insists on leaving his father and the island to go back to America. While in route to Panama, Phillip and his mother’s ship is torpedoed. Philip awakes on a raft with an old black man named
Timothy, a cat, and a bump on his head. As they drift on the sea, Phillip’s injury causes him to lose
his sight. Eventually they land on a deserted island and Phillip has to learn to live as a blind person.
Timothy insists on teaching him to do things for himself because they both know that Timothy is
old enough that he could die on the island. Phillip comes to accept Timothy as a friend and no longer
judges by the color of his skin.
With an initial quote from Martin Luther King, Jr., it is clear that Taylor is addressing racism when
he wrote this book in the 1960s. The story is engaging while teaching children about not being prejudiced. It is best read with an adult who can explain the themes of war and racism. One fascinating
aspect of this novel is that the narrative is not sacrificed despite its original intent for a young audience, and can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Taylor’s messages on racism are as relevant today as
they were in the 60s. His discussion of different cultures speaks of the value of acceptance and appreciation for different lifestyles. Taylor also explores the varying perspectives on voodoo, comparing a
white boy’s judgements on mysticism to a practitioner’s belief in a karma-like religion. Religious persecution is prevalent today and Taylor actively tries to dispel stereotypes in his writing. His crusade
against prejudice in this novel is a great theme for any reader
Two shipwreck victims, Phillip, a blind, white
American boy, and Timothy, an old black
sailor, are stranded on a small island in the
Caribbean. Being totally dependent on
Timothy, Phillip must overcome his
prejudice and learn to accept differences in
people in this adventure story of survival
and adjustment.
The Cay provides a wonderful example of
characterization in writing. Through
character perseverance, a young boy learns
to overcome prejudice and better
understand the meaning of love. The author
reveals the virtues of respect and
perseverance. The novel also examines the
literary themes of man vs. man and man vs.
nature.
The Cay is a coming-of-age story about Phillip Enright, a eleven year old boy who lives on a small
Dutch island during the beginning of World War II. Initially excited by war, Phillip is upset that his
mother insists on leaving his father and the island to go back to America. While in route to Panama, Phillip and his mother’s ship is torpedoed. Philip awakes on a raft with an old black man named
Timothy, a cat, and a bump on his head. As they drift on the sea, Phillip’s injury causes him to lose
his sight. Eventually they land on a deserted island and Phillip has to learn to live as a blind person.
Timothy insists on teaching him to do things for himself because they both know that Timothy is
old enough that he could die on the island. Phillip comes to accept Timothy as a friend and no longer
judges by the color of his skin.
With an initial quote from Martin Luther King, Jr., it is clear that Taylor is addressing racism when
he wrote this book in the 1960s. The story is engaging while teaching children about not being prejudiced. It is best read with an adult who can explain the themes of war and racism. One fascinating
aspect of this novel is that the narrative is not sacrificed despite its original intent for a young audience, and can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Taylor’s messages on racism are as relevant today as
they were in the 60s. His discussion of different cultures speaks of the value of acceptance and appreciation for different lifestyles. Taylor also explores the varying perspectives on voodoo, comparing a
white boy’s judgements on mysticism to a practitioner’s belief in a karma-like religion. Religious persecution is prevalent today and Taylor actively tries to dispel stereotypes in his writing. His crusade
against prejudice in this novel is a great theme for any reader
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